Seeker Music Acquires Nu Shooz’ Legendary Synth-Pop Catalog

Seeker Music , the songwriter-led music rights, publishing, and record company, has acquired the masters and publishing catalog of the iconic '80s synthpop group Nu Shooz. A defining act of the decade's dance landscape, Nu Shooz' catalog includes their 1986 album Poolside, and their global breakout hit "I Can't Wait," which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Formed in Portland, Oregon, by guitarist John Smith and vocalist/percussionist Valerie Day, Nu Shooz journeyed from a jazz-funk outfit to global pop-R&B stars. After their EP Tha's Right caught the ear of Atlantic Records, the Dutch DJ Peter Slaghuis' remix of "I Can't Wait" ignited a worldwide phenomenon. Since then, the GRAMMY-nominated group has been inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and remains a staple of global dance culture.

Founded on the principle that legendary music deserves the same high-octane strategy and creative focus as when it was first released, Seeker has been applying its propriety playbook to a collection of cultural cornerstones since 2020. By only acquiring music the team truly loves and has a long-term vision for, Seeker has established new global baselines for its era-defining hits. This approach has enabled the company to connect legacy works with more fans than ever before, as seen in the expanded reach of Christopher Cross' catalog and the massive cultural resonance of J-Kwon's "Tipsy" (via Shaboozey's record-breaking "A Bar Song [Tipsy]")

With this deal, Nu Shooz' music joins Seeker's growing $400 million portfolio of hits, which in addition to Cross' music includes that of Joan Jett, Run the Jewels, Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Gos), Jon Bellion, John Ryan (One Direction), Mark Morrison ("Return of the Mack"), Future Cut (Lily Allen), Jay Sean ("Down"), Mozella ("Wrecking Ball"), and many more. Plans to celebrate "I Can't Wait's" 40th anniversary, put out unreleased music, and other creative campaigns are already underway.

Seeker Music CEO Evan Bogart said: "Nu Shooz defined an era with one of the most groundbreaking sounds of the '80s. "I Can't Wait" still feels fresh and alive today, and we are beyond excited to breathe new life into these legendary synth-pop hits. Honoring the DNA of seminal global hits and extending their legacy with future generations is what Seeker was built for."

Valerie Day of Nu Shooz added: "We're excited to join forces with the team at Seeker. Their deep love of music drives everything they do, and with their creative vision, the possibilities are endless. We know the Nu Shooz legacy is in good hands, and we 'can't wait' to see how they find new ways to bring our music into the future!"

Nu Shooz was represented in the transaction by Peter Csathy of Deep Cuts Media and Peter Vaughn Shaver, Esq. for Sound Advice, LLC, and Seeker Music was represented by Henry Root, for Counsel, LLP, as well as Bogart, General Counsel, Dan Stuart, and Chief Creative Officer, Steven Melrose.